Both teams went into halftime.
On the way back to the locker room, a phone call came in.
Ring, ring, ring.
Miyamoto picked up the phone with a puzzled look and gestured for the others to head to the locker room first.
The rest didn't think much of it and continued on.
Only Satsuki Momoi stayed behind to wait for him.
Miyamoto answered the call and spoke first.
"Dad, what's up?"
His father's voice came through from the other end.
"Tokima, are you still playing?"
Miyamoto replied,
"Yeah, I am. What's wrong?"
"You're still playing? Then we'll talk after your game ends."
Miyamoto seemed to realize something.
"You want me to show up again? By the way, what exactly is your plan?"
Laughter came from the other end.
"Haha, you'll find out eventually. Since you're still in the game, come over after it's done. I'll have them wait for you."
Miyamoto thought for a moment. Considering Daiki Aomine's condition in the first half, he might not be able to play in the second half.
On top of that, he was curious about his father's plan.
So he made a decision.
He would go meet those people.
"Wait for me. I'll be there soon."
The person on the other end paused.
"Don't you still have a game?"
Miyamoto smiled.
"My teammates aren't weak."
He hung up.
In truth, Miyamoto had always been curious. His father's plan seemed to have started as far back as he could remember.
And every time, his father told him that he would be the one to benefit from it.
Whenever Miyamoto asked about it, he was always brushed off with "the time hasn't come yet."
So he never really knew what his father was planning.
But this time, he might finally get an answer.
He turned to Satsuki Momoi.
"Satsuki, something came up at home. I'll have to leave things here to you for now."
Satsuki Momoi nodded obediently.
...
Satsuki Momoi returned to the locker room alone and told everyone the news.
They were a bit surprised, but they understood.
After all, he came from a powerful family.
Seeing that no one had any objections, Satsuki Momoi began arranging the second half lineup.
"For the second half: center Murasakibara, power forward Nijimura-senpai, small forward Haizaki, shooting guard Himuro, point guard Hanamiya. Anthony, you'll rest for now."
Dicky Anthony nodded. Whether he played or not didn't matter to him. Building favor was the important thing.
Atsushi Murasakibara puffed out his cheeks when he heard he'd be playing center.
"But I want to play point guard."
Satsuki Momoi scolded lightly,
"No. Have you ever seen a two-meter center waiting for the ball at the three-point line?"
Atsushi Murasakibara muttered in grievance,
"Oh."
The Kirisaki Daiichi players all felt a chill.
It's over. The team's bully has officially been replaced.
Halftime ended, and the second half began.
After Kirisaki Daiichi took the court, they were surprised to find that
Daiki Aomine had returned.
Daiki Aomine looked serious as he glanced toward Kirisaki Daiichi, then paused.
"Nijimura-senpai, where's Alei?"
Shuzo Nijimura scratched his head.
"Miyamoto had something to take care of at home, so he left for now."
Daiki Aomine didn't dwell on it. He nodded and said seriously,
"Since Alei's gone, let's have a match, Nijimura-senpai. Me and you."
Skill activated.
Ignore all conditions and forcibly initiate a one-on-one.
"I refuse."
Skill activation failed.
Daiki Aomine froze, completely confused.
"Huh?"
Shuzo Nijimura grinned and whispered with a sly expression,
"If we can gang up on you, why go one-on-one?"
With that, he stepped onto the court to get ready.
If this were middle school Nijimura, he might have agreed to a one-on-one.
But now?
No chance.
His experience in the United States had made him fully realize how important teammates were.
A private one-on-one was fine.
But in a 5v5 game, asking for a one-on-one?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
"The third quarter begins. Both teams, on the court!"
The referee blew the whistle.
Both teams returned to the floor.
Daiki Aomine looked at the score, then toward Kirisaki Daiichi, and made up his mind.
Shoichi Imayoshi walked over.
"Aomine, don't forget your promise to the coach."
Daiki Aomine waved him off impatiently.
"I know. I won't use that state."
Shoichi Imayoshi sighed.
"As long as you understand. In your current condition, forcing it could easily get you injured."
Daiki Aomine waved again.
"I said I know."
...
The game resumed.
Kirisaki Daiichi had possession.
This time, they played much more normally.
Makoto Hanamiya brought the ball up the court.
Atsushi Murasakibara obediently went into the paint to fight for position.
Above a bully, there's always a bigger bully.
As soon as Makoto Hanamiya reached the three-point line, Shoichi Imayoshi pressed up on him.
Makoto Hanamiya sneered.
"Imayoshi, you still never learn."
With a few quick dribbles, he blew past Shoichi Imayoshi.
Even Imayoshi himself hadn't expected it.
Makoto Hanamiya had improved this much.
Before, he could at least defend a little. Now he was beaten effortlessly.
Like crossing the street.
Although surprised, Shoichi Imayoshi didn't panic. Instead, he felt relieved.
Because he had someone behind him.
"Sorry!"
Just as Makoto Hanamiya got past him, Ryo Sakurai suddenly rushed in and reached for the ball.
Makoto Hanamiya smiled coldly.
"Imayoshi, you're still too naive."
With a quick move, he used a behind-the-back dribble to dodge Sakurai's steal.
"You're the naive one, Hanamiya!"
Shoichi Imayoshi suddenly appeared from behind, reaching in to steal.
This had been their plan all along. If Sakurai failed, Imayoshi would follow up.
Just as they thought they had him,
something changed.
Makoto Hanamiya spoke calmly,
"I told you you were naive, but you didn't believe me."
Clang.
From beneath his feet, layers of spiderweb-like lines spread out.
In an instant, they covered the entire area inside the three-point line.
At the same time, he lifted his hand, and the ball shot out like a streak of light into Tatsuya Himuro's hands.
Shoichi Imayoshi and Ryo Sakurai froze.
Tatsuya Himuro didn't hesitate.
He raised his hand and shot a three.
Swish.
The ball went in.
Makoto Hanamiya slowly turned around, a dark smile on his face.
"Imayoshi, you're still as stupid and arrogant as ever."
"Do you really think that I, the other [sword] in Miyamoto's hand, would stand still?"
"You're too naive."